[107barney]

Brit,
Last year when Barney had the pancreatitis and I did the consult with Dr. R for his diet, some of the things she told me were --
1. We don't know all the foods that trigger pancreatitis - it is not just fat
2. Pancreatitis can smolder for a very long time
3. Each pancreatitis attack is worse
4. It can become life threatening

I know that the second bout of pancreatitis is probably why my Barney has some liver damage since the liver lives right next door to the pancreas. Barney's blood work did not return to normal for almost a year, and I might have never known that if I was not keeping close tabs on it because he acted just fine. And that was with being VERY strict and taking direction from the vets like it was a directive from God. Just to illustrate, recently I fed him some of Daisy's food which is higher in fat. His triglycerides rocked up to 1360 and his liver enzymes went nuts. Just from food. When a dog is prone, a dog is prone and you don't always know what is going on in their body unless you happen to draw blood during the time it is happening. I was probably starting a fire.

I'm not telling you this to scare you, but the bully sticks and fatty treats have to go. A two year old having an acute pancreatitis attack that landed him in the hospital is serious enough in my mind to conclude he is predisposed. I know he ate some things he shouldn't have, but it is not like he ate a couple of sticks of butter or a turkey leg.

As far as being a failure, I don't see you in that light at all. You took your dog to the vet and he is getting the care he needs.